How do I get from Albany to Chicago without flying?

You can take a bus or a train to go from Albany to Chicago. Both are practical and eco-friendly ways to travel to Chicago. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long is the bus trip from Albany to Chicago?

The average travel time from Albany to Chicago is about 1d 4h, but you can get there in as little as 1d 1h with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 712 miles (1147 km) that separate the two cities.

How far is Albany from Chicago?

The distance separating Albany and Chicago is 712 miles (1147 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Albany to Chicago?

Most of the buses traveling from Albany to Chicago leave from SUNY Collins Circle and arrive at Downtown Greyhound Station. These are the most popular departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Albany to Chicago?

The cheapest way to travel this route is by bus. The lowest tickets for this trip cost as little as $75.

How much does a bus ticket from Albany to Chicago cost?

You can expect to pay around $168 for a bus ticket. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from $75 to $323, so it's good to do your research before booking.

What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?

Once in Chicago, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Robie House, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Field Museum, Auditorium Building and Theatre and Architectural River Cruise.

Can I take an overnight bus from Albany to Chicago?

Certainly! You can indeed opt for an overnight bus from Albany to Chicago. Make sure to pack a blanket and a snack to make your trip more comfortable.

Albany (NY) to Chicago Bus Tickets

ThuMay 8

FriMay 9

from $144

SatMay 10

SunMay 11

MonMay 12

TueMay 13

WedMay 14

ThuMay 15

Cheap buses leaving Friday

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 9 at 11:40am
Departure city: Albany
Departure location: Albany Bus Terminal
Arrival time: May 10 at 2:15pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 3h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 9 at 11:20pm
Departure city: Albany
Departure location: Albany Bus Terminal
Arrival time: May 10 at 11:40pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 1h
Departure time: May 9 at 11:20pm
Departure city: Albany
Departure location: Albany Bus Terminal
Arrival time: May 10 at 11:40pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 1h
Departure time: May 9 at 4:20am
Departure city: Albany
Departure location: Albany Bus Terminal
Arrival time: May 10 at 7:55am
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 4h
Departure time: May 9 at 11:20pm
Departure city: Albany
Departure location: Albany Bus Terminal
Arrival time: May 11 at 7:55am
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 9h

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Albany to Chicago.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$75 - $323	Average Duration1d 4h	CO₂ emissions 29kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$101 - $255	Average Duration16h 7m	CO₂ emissions 104kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Albany to Chicago

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 1 day, 4 hours 15 minutes and with fares starting at just $75, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11bus per day

1d 4hAverage Duration

$75Cheapest ticket

29kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Albany to Chicago: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$168

Average bus trip duration1d 4h

Number of daily buses11

Earliest bus departure3:35am

Distance710 miles (1145 km)

Latest bus departure11:20pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,963 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

FlixBus

3.5/58,528 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

Adirondack Trailways

4/51,071 reviews

Staff4.6

Timeliness4.3

Cleanliness4.8

Wifi2.4

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

Albany to Chicago Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Albany to Chicago.

Bus service from Albany to Chicago will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Albany to Chicago, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Albany and Chicago?

Stops in Albany

A - SUNY Collins Circle

B - Albany Airport

C - Greyhound Station

D - Bethlehem Center

E - Beckers Corner

F - Crossgates Mall

Stops in Chicago

A - Downtown Greyhound Station

B - Chicago O'Hare International Airport

C - Polk St & Canal St

D - Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave

E - Cumberland CTA

F - Turimex California Ave

Frequently asked questions for your trip Albany - Chicago

How do I get from Albany to Chicago without flying?
How long is the bus trip from Albany to Chicago?
How far is Albany from Chicago?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Albany to Chicago?
What is the cheapest way to travel from Albany to Chicago?
How much does a bus ticket from Albany to Chicago cost?
What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?
Can I take an overnight bus from Albany to Chicago?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/04

$149

05/05

$143

Today

No data

05/07

$105

05/08

$110

05/09

$144

05/10

$111

05/11

$98

The cheapest trip from Albany to Chicago was searched and found on May 11, 2025 with a price of $98

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Albany to Chicago, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $98 to $232 for a bus ticket from Albany to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $98 which is on 2025-05-11.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Albany to Chicago but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Albany to Chicago, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Albany to Chicago that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Albany to Chicago, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

Did you know some bus companies in Germany offer to their passenger low-costs snacks and regional beer based on their destination? Prosit!

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

What's the cheapest way to go from Albany to Chicago?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time1d 4h	Avg Price$168	Daily Departures11
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time16h 7m	Avg Price$204	Daily Departures1

Will you be returning to Albany by bus?

Bus from Albany to Chicago

You can also go to Chicago by train

Train from Albany to Chicago

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Albany, NY to Chicago, IL